With three quarters (75%) of global travellers saying that they would likely travel somewhere renowned for its great food and drink when choosing their next travel destination, culinary travel is a trend on the rise.

Millennials, according to research, are the most igenious when combining travel with renowned food destinations, with 79% of travellers between the ages of 18 and 34 considering travelling somewhere solely for the purpose of discovering its gastronomic delights. The joy of trying and eating delicious new dishes while travelling can make a trip to remember.

As we recently discovered!

Our editors’ recent trip to Colombia was a gateway to discovering the culinary delights of South America. With the help of Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, our editors discovered the Exe Santafe Hotel.

Foodie favourites: the global hotspots

But did you know…

Among the over 118 million real traveller reviews on Booking.com, food stands out as a clear passion for many, representing a central theme in countless reviews. The data reveals Asian and South American flavours feature highly (you heard it here first) in the top five foodie favourite destinations with Greece, Australia and Spain also included:

Hong Kong

Taking the top spot is Hong Kong, famous for its vibrant urban centre and skyscraper-studded skyline. Travellers will be in awe of the variety of dishes available, we recommend having a taste of dim sum, kau kee beef brisket, wonton noodles and poon choi (Chinese casserole). Travellers endorsed Hong Kong Island as Booking.com as the top neighbourhood in Hong Kong for food.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

The city of Sao Paulo is a world-renowned foodie haven, from smart bistros to gourmet restaurants, there is something for everyone. Sample the nation’s signature dish, the Brazilian feijoada (black bean and meat stew) and take a trip through Itaim Bibi.

Tokyo, Japan

The fusion of ultramodern and traditional is widely regarded as Tokyo’s focal point. Its top restaurants have accrued more Michelin stars than both Paris and New York combined and its signature cuisine of sushi continues to take the world by storm. Be sure to visit Chiyoda Ward, which is considered one of the top foodie neighbourhoods in Tokyo.

Athens, Greece

Even if Greece’s economy is in dire straits, the one thing you can count on is the eternal deliciousness of Greek cuisine. Try Athens’ street food with a stop at Plaka – voted the top foodie neighbourhood in Athens by Booking.com travellers. Be sure to sample the capital’s signature dishes, Souvlaki (grilled meat and vegetable skewers) and Koulouri (tasty sesame bread rings).

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is best known for its modern skylines, glass and steel-clad skyscrapers, sandy white beaches, lush rainforests and colourful food-stall-lined streets. Travellers will love the fusion of contemporary and traditional, and the beautiful mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultures and cuisines. Booking.com travellers have endorsed Mid Valley as the top foodie neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur.